Pearce waits on Hamann

INJURY may force Stuart Pearce to break up his winning side for the crunch teatime clash with Charlton on Friday. Midfielder Didi Hamann's late season renaissance is being threatened by a bruised ankle that forced him out of the victory at Newcastle.

INJURY may force Stuart Pearce to break up his winning side for the crunch teatime clash with Charlton on Friday.

Midfielder Didi Hamann's late season renaissance is being threatened by a bruised ankle that forced him out of the victory at Newcastle.

The former Champions League winning Liverpool ace has played a major part in City's form revival after winning a recall for the FA Cup quarter-final at Blackburn last month.

Since then 33-year-old Hamann has looked more like the player that Pearce expected when he won a summer tug-of-war with Bolton for his services.

Even so, the City chief has admitted that he believes there is still more to come from the ex-German international over the final eight games of the season.

"I don't think Didi has done as well as I thought he would do," suggested the Blues' boss. "He was injured and then has not got in the side to start with and he is one of those players who need a strong finish to the season.

"In the last few games there is no doubt that he has given us an old steady head behind Stevie Ireland, Joey Barton or more recently Michael Johnson and that has suited him and the youngsters who have been playing in front of him.

Bruising

"It would be nice to get him fit so that he does not miss the visit of Charlton on Friday.

"Didi has a lot of bruising on his ankle so we will have to wait and see. We took him off as soon as we could at Newcastle on Saturday and we are hoping it is not as bad as it looks."

If Hamann's ankle doesn't respond in time then Pearce will choose between Ousmane Dabo and Jihai Sun for the midfield holding role.

Dabo had the job before losing form and becoming a target for terrace barracking whilst Sun did a competent job in the centre when Hamann departed the scene at Newcastle.

Should Sun get the nod then either fit again Trevor Sinclair or Hatem Trabelsi could slot in on the right side.

Pearce's other main doubt for the Friday night showdown is Ireland. "Stevie reported back from international duty ill so we will have to wait and see," said Pearce.